David BaleOne of Norwich's newest caf� bars is hosting a series of evenings to showcase new potential eating-out experiences in the city, starting on Mother's Day.David Bale

One of Norwich's newest caf� bars is hosting a series of evenings to showcase new potential eating-out experiences in the city, starting on Mother's Day.

The Bicycle Shop in St Benedict's Street is part bar, part caf� restaurant, with the emphasis on seasonal produce that is ethically sourced, and since opening last October it has established itself as one of Norwich's coolest hang-outs.

It has now teamed up with Bizfizz, which supports local businesses in Norwich, to host a series of food evenings, starting on March 14 with Totem, which specialises in African foods, and is looking to open a new restaurant/venue in the city.

Totem's founder Munyaradzi Mutsinze said: 'On the evening there will be a mouth watering menu with foods from across the African continent, accompanied by great music.

'Totem is a new project to benefit the local people who are interested in new experiences, the African people who have moved to Norwich and the young generation of children who have been born here and have got no idea of some of the basic aspects of their parents' African heritage.

'I have met four amazing African women who share the dream of having a venue for the African community to feel at home and also to introduce the local community to the amazing flavours and hospitality of our continent.'

Each of the evenings will give chefs and would-be restaurateurs the chance to take over the bar's kitchen, with the food they produce being served on the premises.

The Bicycle Shop is run by Rob Howe, who said: 'As a new business ourselves it's nice to be able to help out other entrepreneurs starting up in Norwich. We understand that Bizfizz has about eight local chefs on its books, so these evenings could run every couple months or so.'

As reported, for much of the last century, The Bicycle Shop, at 17, St Benedict's, was a bike shop run by three generations of a Norwich family.

The Bryants ran the shop from 1918 to 2000 and more recently the property was The Kitchen caf�/ restaurant.

Mr Howe is leasing The Bicycle Shop from Chris Bryant, one of the former cycle shop owners.

The Evening News' Love Your Local campaign aims to get punters back into pubs that are struggling to survive the recession.

to book your place at the Bicycle Shop on Mother's Day call 01603 625777.

For more information about Bizfizz visit http://www.bizfizz-norwich.org.uk

For more stories on our Love Your Local campaign visit www.eveningnews24.co.uk/loveyour local.

Have you got a pubs story? Ring reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk.